BMW Triangle With Exclamation Point – Meaning And How To Fix
A triangle with an exclamation point is one of the most common warning lights on your BMW dashboard. You want to figure out what it means and deal with the issue as soon as possible.
A triangle with an exclamation mark can mean a serious issue.
Here is all you need to know about the BMW exclamation point inside an orange triangle.
Triangle with Exclamation Mark: What It Means
A triangle with an exclamation mark on your dashboard means a pending notice to check out.
Something isn’t right with the vehicle and needs to be fixed. Sometimes, it’s not a problem but a notice to take preventative measures. We’ll cover some of the most common instances in the following section.
What Is The Issue?
Here are some common issues causing the warning triangle to appear on your BMW dashboard.
Traction Control
Traction control is an important safety feature that ensures stability when driving. If it’s not working properly, the issue can become serious.
If the triangle appears while you’re driving, you should drive carefully in case of a traction control system malfunction. The exact source of the problem can be wiring damage, faulty sensors, or brake issues.
Washer Fluid
You’ll see the triangle with an exclamation point whenever your washer fluid is about to run out. The warning will typically disappear as soon as you refill the fluid.
It might take some time before the triangle disappears. If it’s still on once the fluid has been filled, there is likely another issue.
Tire Pressure
A triangle with an exclamation point will also appear if you have low tire pressure. You can often spot this with a visual check or a tire gauge.
The triangle should disappear as soon as you deal with the tires.
Low Fuel
Knowing when your BMW is low on fuel is very obvious; you’ll see the famous fuel pump icon on your dashboard, usually on the left-hand side. However, you’ll also see the triangle with an exclamation mark.
As soon as you fuel up, the triangle will disappear, unless there’s another issue.
Temperature Warning
If your engine is overheating, you’ll see the triangle warning light. Typically, a thermometer icon will also appear on your dashboard or your engine temperature meter, depending on your BMW model.
If this happens, turning off your engine and letting it cool for a while will fix the issue. Otherwise, there might be a serious issue with the engine that requires maintenance.
Service Due
A triangle with an exclamation point doesn’t necessarily signal a technical issue with your vehicle. The triangle will pop up on your dashboard if your BMW is due or overdue for routine service.
After checking your vehicle, the technicians at the service center reset the warning light. If you already scheduled a service appointment and want to get rid of the triangle icon, it’s safe to reset it yourself, provided you check for any other issues.
What You Should Do About The Triangle With Exclamation Point
Here are the steps you need to take when the orange triangle with an exclamation point appears on your dash.
1. Find The Warning Icon
You’ll know exactly what to do if the warning triangle appears along with another obvious warning light. If only the triangle appears, you should browse your dashboard menu and display the specific warning icon.
To do this, you need to:
- With the ignition on, browse your dashboard menu using the left stalk until you see “CHECK.”
- Press the BC button to select the “CHECK” menu.
- A warning icon will be displayed on the upper dashboard screen.
- Continue scrolling using the left stalk to check for other warning icons.
It should be clear what the problem is. However, even then, the same warning icon might signal several specific underlying issues. Your best bet is to check the CC-ID code.
2. Check The CC-ID Code
The same warning icon inside the “CHECK” menu can signify different issues. For instance, if you see a battery icon, the reason could be one of the following:
- “Check Battery Condition” (CC-ID 304)
- “Check Battery Terminals” (CC-ID 305)
- “Battery Charge Low” (CC-ID 306)
- “Battery Discharge Rate High (CC-ID 415).
These codes can be very helpful to you or your technician, allowing you to identify and fix the problem.
Now, how can you check the CC-ID code?
After you select the “CHECK” menu and display the warning icon, you need to press and hold the BC button for a few seconds until the CC-ID code appears below the warning icon. Keep scrolling to see all the CC-ID codes that appear.
The CC-ID codes might differ from one BMW model to another. You can use your manual for a detailed list of BMW error codes and what they mean, or you can contact your technician.
3. Deal With The Issue
Depending on the warning light displayed, you can fix the issue on your own or take your car to a technician.
If the triangle with an exclamation point signals low fuel, low washer fluid, door open, or service due, it will disappear as soon as you take care of it.
If it’s a severe malfunction, you must drive carefully until you get your car to a technician.
4. Reset The Triangle Warning
Sometimes, the orange triangle warning will stay on even though the issue is fixed. For instance, you might still see the triangle, browse the “CHECK” menu, and find “CC-ID 275,” meaning “low fuel.”
You can either wait until it disappears on its own or manually reset it. Before you do this, make sure there are no other warning messages.
You can simply disconnect and reconnect the battery to reset the triangle with an exclamation point. Note that your dashboard can take a few hours or days to fully reset. Alternatively, let a technician take care of it.
Final Thoughts
A triangle with an exclamation point appears on your BMW dashboard whenever your vehicle detects an issue pending action on your part.
It can be as simple as low fuel or washer fluid or signaling a serious malfunction that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible.
You can check out the particular warning icon and its corresponding CC-ID code to get a clearer idea of what is happening. From there, you can deal with the issue accordingly.
